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Day 169

Luke 12:49-53 "AN IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER"

Day 169 – Luke 12

Text: Luke 12:49-53

AN IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

As we ponder over this deep teaching of the Lord Jesus, a disclaimer must be sent out at this point of time. Jesus did not promote the division of the family. He is not an advocate for splitting up the home. There are some who actually teach (and wrongly so) that when one becomes a believer, he must distance himself from his family!

What Jesus was saying was that division would almost be inevitable! He is not saying that all families would be divided! He was just preparing His Disciples to understand that there would be some who would object to Jesus so strenuously that they would challenge the believer right in the home. Arguments can become so real and sharp that divisions can occur!

“FATHER WILL BE DIVIDED AGAINST SON AND SON AGAINST FATHER, MOTHER AGAINST DAUGHTER AND DAUGHTER AGAINST MOTHER…” Luke 12:53

The painting of this scenario may seem startling and even frightening. Yet Jesus was not saying something very new at all. A similar word was preached by Micah the prophet hundreds of years before the time of Jesus.

“Do not trust in a friend;
Do not put your confidence in a companion;
Guard the doors of your mouth
From her who lies in your bosom.

For son dishonours father,
Daughter rises against her mother,
Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.”
Micah 7:5,6

Families enter into conflicts many, many times. Almost anything can become an issue of conflict in the family. Members of the same family can disagree violently over friends, family, finance etc.

It would be naive to think that religion would always be a unifying factor in the family. Differences of opinion would arise. The disciple of Jesus must not be afraid of conflicts that could arise as a result of faith in Him.

The Christian however must make sure that the cause of conflict is not his misbehaviour or his unholy character. In which case, he cannot cite this passage as a reason for conflicts at home.

If on the other hand, the problem lies with faith in Jesus, then he must decide what he would do with Christ. Would he deny Jesus for the sake of family unity? Would he steadfastly hold on to his faith in Jesus and therefore prove himself to be worthy of the Lord?

IS JESUS WORTH SUFFERING FOR?

Jesus spoke about His suffering for the sake of redeeming man from his sins. The Disciples must one day decide whether faith in Christ was worth suffering for!

This part of the Gospel Message seems to be little understood, let alone emphasized! Nevertheless, we must consider what Jesus taught. He spoke about how division would come as a result of faith in Him. Is Jesus worth suffering for? What do you think?

THE EXAMPLE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL AS ONE WHO SUFFERED MUCH FOR HIS FAITH

One of the most impressive of God’s servants mentioned in the Scriptures is arguably the Apostle Paul. What Moses was with reference to Old Testament Theology, Paul was his counterpart with reference to New Testament Theology.

However, whereas Moses enjoyed high prestige and was held in honour most of the time, by ancient Israel, Paul had to endure much suffering in his service given to the Lord.

In his second epistle to the Corinthian Church, Paul highlighted some of the things that he had to endure for the sake of his faith in Christ.

“In labours more abundant,
In stripes above measure,
In prisons more frequently,
In deaths often.

From the Jews five times I received
Forty stripes minus one.

Three times I was beaten with rods;
Once I was stoned…”
2 Corinthians 11:23-25

How did Paul see all these sufferings? In another pastoral letter, this time to the Philippian Church, Paul wrote these words, expressing his theology of suffering for the sake of faith in Christ.

“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ,
not only to believe in Him,
BUT also to suffer for His sake…”
Philippians 1:29

The Apostle Paul understood the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ very well. There was peace with God in his heart (Romans 5:1). However, there was also tribulation to be accepted as well (Romans 5:3). He saw beyond tribulation. He saw it as something that produced a good Christian spirit and character.

ARE YOU ABLE TO SUFFER FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR FAITH?

Would you be prepared to undergo suffering because of your faith in Christ?